Integrated system and method for centralized transit information handling

ABSTRACT

A centralized information center is disclosed. The centralized information center includes a plurality of source information inputs. The centralized information center disclosed also includes a central processor configured to receive information from the source information inputs and a memory coupled to the processor. A program runs on the central processor. The program organizes information, prioritizes information and generates information flows. Selective information flows are provided to a central office for a transportation system and to a transportation vehicle. The plurality of source information inputs includes vehicle-related information, operations-related information, and external service provider information.

REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 60/274,276, filed on Mar. 8, 2001, entitled “IntegratedSystem for Detailed Passenger Information and Support of TrafficManagement,” and is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to systems for managinginformation in transportation systems. Further, the disclosure relatesto a system in which detailed passenger information, traffic managementand other information is integrated and managed by a centralized system.

[0003] Conventionally there exist transportation systems which utilize acentralized system for providing schedule and other passenger-specificinformation to transportation vehicles and to transportation kiosks andterminals. Such systems are able to provide passengers and awaitingpassengers with information relating to the arrival and/or departure oftransportation vehicles. However, as information systems andcommunication networks have grown in both importance and usability,there are available various information sources, all providing differenttypes of data for passenger consumption, awaiting passenger consumption,and other purposes. However, conventionally there have not been systemsand/or methods configured to handle different types of inconsistentdata, to prioritize the data, to organize the data, and to correlate thedata. Accordingly, the quality of service provided to passengers,awaiting passengers, and other users of the information has been lessthan ideal.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a centralized information systemin which information may be supplied by external sources and can becentrally selected, combined, and organized. There is also a need for acentralized information system for a transportation system that providesconsistent data to mobile and stationary information points. Further,there is a need for a centralized information system for atransportation system which is configured to selectively provide allmobile and stationary information points with specified information,substantially simultaneously. Further still, there is a need for acentralized information system for a transit system that includesinterfaces between the external sources which are uniformly managed andmonitored. Yet further still, there is a need for a centralizedinformation system for a transit system that provides balancing betweenservices that are provided jointly with the transportation operator orby a single party, and external service providers. Yet further still,there is a need for a centralized information system for a transitsystem which is configured to automate the information integration.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide systems and/or methods thatprovide one or more of these or other advantageous features. Otherfeatures and advantages will be made apparent from the presentspecification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments whichfall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether theyaccomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.

SUMMARY

[0006] An exemplary embodiment relates to a centralized informationcenter. The centralized information center includes a plurality ofsource information inputs. The centralized information center alsoincludes a central processor, configured to receive information from thesource information inputs. Further, the centralized information centerincludes a memory coupled to the processor. Further still, thecentralized information center includes a program running on the centralprocessor and a program configured to organize information, prioritizeinformation and generate information flows. Selected information flowsare provided to a central office for a transportation system and to atransportation vehicle. The plurality of source information inputsinclude vehicle-related information, operations related information, andexternal service provider information.

[0007] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of managinginformation for a transportation system. The method includes receiving,by an information center, information from a plurality of informationsources. The information includes vehicle-related information,operations-related information, and external service providerinformation. The method also includes recording, by the informationcenter, the received information. Further, the method includesprocessing, by the information center, the received information suchthat the information is organized and prioritized. Further still, themethod includes distributing, by the information center, the informationto transportation vehicles, external service providers, and externalaccess points.

[0008] Another exemplary embodiment further relates to a method ofmanaging information for a transportation system. The method includesreceiving, by an information center, information from a plurality ofinformation sources. The information includes vehicle-relatedinformation, operations-related information, and external serviceprovider information. The method also includes recording, by theinformation center, the received information. Further, the methodincludes processing, by the information center, the received informationsuch that the information is selected, organized, and combined. Furtherstill, the method includes distributing, by the information center, theinformation to transportation vehicles, external service providers, andexternal access points.

[0009] Yet further still, an exemplary embodiment relates to aninformation management system for a transportation system. Theinformation management system includes a means for receiving, by aninformation center, information from a plurality of information sources.The information includes vehicle-related information, operations-relatedinformation, and external service provider information. The informationmanagement system also includes a means for recording, by theinformation center, the received information. The information managementsystem also includes a means for processing, by the information center,the received information such that the information is selected,organized, and combined. Yet further still, the information managementsystem includes a means for distributing, by the information center, theinformation to transportation vehicles, external service providers, andexternal access points.

[0010] Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will become more fully understood from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a centralized informationsystem;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an exemplary process diagram depicting methods relatingto handling of delays and/or status reports; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is an exemplary process diagram depicting methods ofhandling billing and/or accounting information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, a centralized information managementsystem 100 is depicted. Centralized information management systemincludes an information center 110. Information center 110 receivesinformation from a plurality of sources, the information center 110having a plurality of source information inputs from the plurality ofexternal sources. Information center 110 may be, for example, thecentral office of a transportation system operator.

[0016] One source of information may include the passenger-conveyingmeans 120 of the transportation operator. Transportation-conveying means120 may be, in an exemplary embodiment, a train, a bus, a tram, asubway, a monorail, an airplane, a ship, or other passenger-conveyingmeans.

[0017] Another exemplary input to information center 110 may includeaccess points 130 to the transportation operators-conveying means.Access points 130 may include, but are not limited to, transit centers,transit kiosks, transit shelters, transit depots, and interactiveinformation sources at locations in which passengers may be boarding atransit vehicle or conveying means. At access points 130, electronicoutput devices such as signs and/or screens having information which ischanged dynamically throughout the day and are configured to provideinformation to persons such as awaiting passengers. The informationdisplayed to awaiting passengers may include, but is not limited to,arrival information, departure information, advertising information,entertainment information, and the like.

[0018] Another exemplary input to information center 110 may includetransportation operator 140. Transportation operator 140 may be a timeschedule system, transit control center, transit control computer,dispatch system, or the like. Transportation 140 may includefunctionality to report time scheduling and tracking of transit vehiclesas well as managing transit vehicles and transit system functions.Information relating to transit vehicles location, schedules, etc. iscommunicated to information center 110.

[0019] Yet another exemplary input to information center 110 may includeinformation from external stationary information points 150. Externalstationary information points 150 may be, in an exemplary embodiment,terminals, signs, kiosks, mobile devices, etc. that may be located atshops, and in public places, at homes, in airports, in railway stations,bus depots, bus shelters, on a person, etc. External stationaryinformation points 150 may have both generalized and specificinformation relating to the transit system along with other types ofinformation.

[0020] Still yet another exemplary input to information center 110 mayinclude information from external service providers 160. Externalservice providers 160 provide information that is nontransit related,such as advertisements, commercials, news, public service announcements,weather announcements, etc. External service providers 160 may providesuch information for a fee or may provide service information for freeor alternatively, may receive a fee for providing such information.External service providers may also include providers of entertainmentthat may be utilized, in conveying means 120 or at access points 130, byawaiting passengers or passengers on transit vehicles.

[0021] Information center 110 is therefore configured to receive inputfrom a plurality of information sources, including, but not limited toconveying means of the transportation operator 120, access points to thetransportation operators conveying means 130, transportation operator140, external stationary information point 150, and external serviceprovider 160. As well, information center 110 is configured to provideinformation to conveying means of the transportation operator 102,access points to the transportation operator's conveying means 130,transportation operator 140, external stationary information points 150,and external service providers 160. Communications between theinformation sources and information center 110 may be carried out over aplurality of communications infrastructure, including, but not limitedto the internet, and other public communications networks and/or privateor custom communications networks.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, information sources 120, 130, 140,150, and 160 provide information to information center 110. Informationcenter 110 receives information from the information sources via avariety of information inputs. Information center 110 is configured toorganize, prioritize, manage, record, evaluate, balance, and/or combinethe incoming information and generate a plurality of outgoinginformation flows. The outgoing information flows are then provided backto the information sources 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 for processingand/or display. In an exemplary embodiment, it may also be desirable toprovide information between transportation operator 140 and access point130 directly bypassing information center 110. Such direct access may beused for certain scheduling and/or alert tasks.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, a process 200 is depicted. Process 200relates to methods of handling delays and/or status reports utilizinginformation center 110. During normal operation, that is dispatchinginformation for delays, passenger information, scheduling information,advertising information, vehicle status information, etc. (step 202)information center 110 carries out the functionality. Information center110 decodes inputs and calculates and/or determines consequences (step204). The inputs are received from information sources such as, but notlimited to conveying means 120, transportation operator 140 and accesspoints 130.

[0024] During normal operation conveying means 120 displays standardinformation, advertisements, and calculates delays, and checks vehiclestatus (step 220). Calculation of delays, status checks within thevehicle are made by an onboard electronic and computer system (step222). Delays that are calculated are confirmed within the vehicle or thedelay status is reported (step 224). An outgoing message is then created(step 226). The outgoing message is then transmitted to the informationcenter (step 228). The information is then sent to information center110 at step 204.

[0025] Similarly, a transportation operator operates according to atransport central specification (step 240). A plurality of necessaryactions may be determined by transportation operator 140 (step 242). Forexample, if a vehicle breaks down on the route, an order or dispatch ofreplacement vehicles could be made by transportation operator 140.Further, in an exemplary embodiment, if there are substantial delays ona route or specific routes are running behind schedule or areoverburdened, additional vehicles may be dispatched by transportationoperator 140. Such analysis may be based on other inputs, for example,information may be transmitted to transportation operator 140 byinformation center 110 (step 210). The information from informationcenter 110 may include but is not limited to information whichoriginated with conveying means 120. Transportation operator 240 thentransmits, to external partners (i.e., access points, vehicles viainformation center 110), specific information generated bytransportation operator 140 (step 244). Once the information istransmitted to information center 110, transportation operator 140returns to normal operation (step 246).

[0026] Access point 130 operates in a normal operation by displayingpassenger information, delay information, advertising information, etc.(step 250). Information center 110 updates vehicle information based onall of the incoming information and the information flows that have beengenerated (step 212). Vehicle information is sent to the vehicle orconveying means 120 and a new display routine is run utilizing thevehicle information (step 230). The information system on conveyingmeans 120 then returns to normal operation (step 232). Once the vehicleinformation has been updated, access point 130 information is similarlyupdated (step 214). Access points 130 receive information frominformation center 214 to update access point 130. Such information isdecoded and prepared to produce display changes (step 252). Once theinformation has been decoded and prepared and display changes have beenmade, a new display routine is run (step 254). The new display contentis then confirmed and sent to information system 110 (step 256). Theconfirmed display content information is used by information center 110and recorded, for billing and display assurance functions. Once theconfirmed message has been sent to information center 110 access point130 returns to normal operation (step 258). As information center 110updates access point 130 information, information center 110 thenreturns to normal operation (step 216).

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary process diagram 300 isdepicted including methods of handling, billing and/or accountinginformation. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, information center110 interacts with conveying means 120 and external service provider160. Information center 110 operates in a normal manner, that isdispatching information for delays, passenger information, advertisementvehicle statuses, etc. (step 310). Inputs are received from conveyingmeans 120 and external service provider 160 and such inputs are decodedand consequences are determined and calculated (step 312).

[0028] Conveying means 120 operates in a normal manner, that isdisplaying standard information, advertisements, delay calculations,making vehicle status checks, etc. (step 330). Logic flow controlbetween advertisements, passenger information, and other information isestablished for the vehicle (step 332). Advertisement sequences are thencompleted (step 334). Information is then transmitted to informationcenter 110 step 312 (step 336).

[0029] External service provider 160 operates in a normal manner, thatis producing news, advertisements, billing, accounting for the customer,etc. (step 350). New information sequences for vehicles are completed bythe external service providers (step 352). Availability of vehicles ischecked by the external service provider (step 354) and information istransmitted to information center 110 (step 356). Once informationcenter 312 receives the inputs from conveying means 120 and externalservice provider 160 and consequences are calculated in step 312,priority control between the operating modes is begun (step 314). Thepriority is based on the information received from the conveying meansand the external service providers. Within information center 110, acheck for communication partners, in other words the transportationprovider, the advertiser supplier, etc. are checked (step 316). Based onthe check, a calculation is made for billing the corresponding vehicle,track, provider, etc. for the information services provided (step 318).Information center 110 then transmits billing information to theexternal service provider (step 320). External service provider 160receives the billing information and then returns to normal operation(step 358). After the information is transmitted to the external serviceprovider, information is updated and is provided to vehicle 120 (step330). Information is then displayed on vehicle 120 (step 338) and thevehicle returns to normal operation (step 340). Once the information isupdated by information center 110, information center 110 returns tonormal operation (step 324).

[0030] Information center 110 records, processes and distributesinformation from and between the central office of a transportationoperator 140, the passenger conveying means of the same transportationoperator 120, other external service providers 160, stationary accesslocations to the conveying means of transportation operator 130, andother external stationary information points 150. Information system 110supports traffic management, provides passenger information (conveyancerelated), such as but not limited to schedules, vehicle status,passenger load information, etc. Information center 110 also coordinatespassenger information (non-conveyance related), such as advertising,news, weather and public service announcements. Information center 110balances the services provided by the information sources between thetransportation operators and other service providers.

[0031] Communication flows are provided between information center 110and the plurality of information sources. Conveyance related informationis sent between a transportation operator 140 and information center 110(e.g. travel schedules, updated scheduled data, etc.). Informationcenter 110 also records information which is operations related and isreceived from the transit vehicle or the passenger conveying means 120of the transportation operator (e.g., operating statuses, driving data,etc.). Information center 110 further receives and records informationfrom external service provider 160 (e.g., advertisements, current news,instructions, etc.). At information center 110 the information cominginto the information center is evaluated, linked together and summarizedinto new outgoing information flows. The generated information flows arethen distributed to recipients based on the type of information flow andthe assignment.

[0032] For example, information from information center 110 may be sentto transportation operator 140. Such information may include operationsrelated information from passenger conveying means 120. Further,information may be sent from information center 110 to passengerconveying means 120. Such information may include, but is not limited toconveyance related and non-conveyance related information for thepassengers and operations related information for the operatingpersonnel. Information from information center 110 may also be sent tocentral offices of external service providers. Such information mayinclude, but is not limited to conveyance related information. Furtherstill, information from information center 110 may be sent to externalstationary information points 150 and may include, but is not limitedto, conveyance related and non-conveyance related information for thepassengers (for example, to railroad stations and bus terminals). Yetfurther still, information center 110 may send information flows toexternal stationary access points 130, such information may include, butis not limited to, conveyance related and non-conveyance relatedinformation, for example, information useful to potential passengers ofa transportation operator.

[0033] Information center 110 also receives from access points 130 andfrom external stationary information points 150 information which may beused to prepare an accounting of services provided from access points130 or information points 150.

[0034] In using information center 110, information supplied by theexternal information sources can be centrally selected, combined, andorganized in either a manual or automated fashion. The consistency ofdata sent to the information points will be insured with respect tocontent and representation by the information center. Further still, theinformation on the actual traffic process used, for example, currenttardiness, updated travel connections, etc. to mobile and stationaryinformation points may be provided substantially simultaneously.Interfaces between the subsystems may be uniformly managed and monitoredby information center 110. Services provided jointly or by one party maybe balanced between the transportation operator and external serviceproviders by using information center 110. Further still, integratedfunctions are automated by information center 110.

[0035] Information center 110 may be configured to work with anytransportation operator, for example, with a railway company, a shippingcompany, a bus company, etc. The transportation operator ischaracterized by the fact that it organizes at its own central officethe traffic flow of its passenger conveying means between a stationaryaccess point of passengers to the conveying means.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, cooperation with a railway company asa transportation operator is described below in an exemplary embodiment.At information center 110, the system records information from therailway company central office (transportation operator 140) and frompassenger trains of the railway company (conveying means 120). Current,conveyance related information is then sent by a mobile radio by thepassenger trains of the railway company to information center 110. Forexample, a public mobile radio network such as, but not limited toglobal system for mobile communications (GSM) is used as the radionetwork. In particular, the information includes current positionreports of the passenger trains that deviate from the schedule and, ifnecessary, messages regarding operational malfunctions that haveoccurred on the passenger trains. Position messages are determined ineach passenger train, for example, by the use of a satellite navigationsystem such as the global positioning system (GPS). Operationalmalfunctions may be determined in each conveying means, for example, byuse of an electronic diagnostic system. Messages of the passenger trainsare transferred from information center 110 to the railway companycentral office. For example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN) data network may be used as the transmission line.Messages received from the passenger trains may be evaluated at therailway company central office. In this process, as a service, therailway company may wish to make available to its passengers anyknowledge that may be received on current deviations from the overallschedule. For example, this may be a case of late arrival times and/orupdated changes to scheduled connections. The transportation operatortransfers the schedule information to information center 110, forexample, by way of a data network. In particular, it also determines thecurrent deviations that will be reported to the passengers.

[0037] Information center 110 prepares information and transmits it byway of a radio network (e.g., the GSM network) to the conveying mans ofthe transportation operator. Information center 110 also prepares andtransmits information by way of digital telephone network (e.g., ISDN)using a satellite-protected message distribution system, or mobile radio(e.g., GSM) to the train stations, for example. Information center 110also prepares and transmits information by way of one or more of thetransmission means mentioned above to other stationary informationpoints 150 outside the area of influence of the railway company (e.g.,in stores, airports, hotels, etc.). Current information will be madeaccessible simultaneously to customers and potential customers of thetransportation operator at all information points of the three typesnamed. Information terminals with screens, such as kiosks, andoptionally equipped with printers, may be used.

[0038] Functions described above may be supplemented with additionalinformation. Additional information may include, but is not limited to,advertising, current news, entertainment, programs, train or planeschedule information, for example. The information may be offeredcentrally from the external service providers, or it may benon-conveyance related information from the railway company itself. Theinformation from the external service providers (like that of therailway company itself) may be transmitted to information center 110,for example, by using a LAN or WAN data network, processed there anddistributed to the mobile and stationary information points describedabove. Services provided on the passenger trains, at the train stations,and the external stationary information points are transferred toinformation center 110 using data feedback on the transmission linesdescribed above, processed there to prepare balances, and passed on tothe railway company and the external service providers.

[0039] Accordingly, the basic problem that the existence of variousinformation sources in servicing a transportation system and ofdifferent destinations for the information as well as very heterogeneouskinds of information to be delivered (e.g. messages about delays to/fromtraffic control stations, commercials, billing information, passengerannouncements, train reports, all kinds of information which may berelevant or non-relevant to the conveyance of passengers or goods), mustbe handled by information system 110. Historically, such inconsistenttypes of data have been problematic. The quality of service with regardsto the information is often times poor. To solve the quality of serviceproblem, information center 110 manages the information which cares forthe accurate, time near or at least time fairly near delivery of therequired data.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, information center 110 is useful foraccounting and balancing procedures. External provider and partners mustrely on accurate information about how their service (e.g.entertainment) has been used within the system. Accordingly, informationcenter 110 tracks the use of such information and such information iscollected and communicated to the service providers accordingly.

[0041] Information center 110 evaluates, correlates, and combinesarriving information to form new information flows. In an exemplaryembodiment, the calculations are based on information generated by theconveyance means (e.g. positions, delays, stations, etc.), storedinformation (general time schedule), information from conveyanceprovider, actual time schedule, requirements from external provider(e.g. commercial updates). Software for information center 110 may bedeveloped on standard database platforms or may be generated in othermanners.

[0042] The process diagrams depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 serve only asexemplary embodiments. The information flows are not limited to thosedepicted and the diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3 are not restricted to thespecific types of information flows shown. Information center 110 may beconfigured to handle other types and numbers of information flows.

[0043] While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particularformulations given describe preferred and exemplary embodiments, theyserve the purpose of illustration only. The inventions disclosed are notlimited to the specific forms shown. For example, the methods may beperformed in any of a variety of sequence of steps. The hardware andsoftware configurations shown and described may differ depending on thechosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of thecomputing devices. For example, the type of computing device,communications bus, or processor used may differ. The systems andmethods depicted and described are not limited to the precise detailsand conditions disclosed. Furthermore, other substitutions,modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design,operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A centralized information center, comprising: aplurality of source information inputs; a central processor, configuredto receive information from the source information inputs; a memorycoupled to the processor; a program running on the central processor andthe program organizing information, prioritizing information andgenerating information flows, selected information flows being providedto a central office for a transportation system, and to a transportationvehicle; and the plurality of source information inputs includes vehiclerelated information, operations-related information, and externalservice provider information.
 2. The centralized information center ofclaim 1, wherein the central processor is a server computer.
 3. Thecentralized information center of claim 1, wherein the central processoris a server computer.
 4. The centralized information center of claim 1,wherein selected information flows are provided to a transportationaccess point.
 5. The centralized information center of claim 1, whereinselected information flows are provided to an external stationaryinformation point.
 6. The centralized information center of claim 1,wherein selected information flows are provided to an external serviceprovider.
 7. The centralized information center of claim 1, wherein thevehicle related information includes vehicle location information. 8.The centralized information center of claim 1, wherein the externalservice provider information includes advertising information.
 9. Amethod of managing information for a transportation system, comprising:receiving, by an information center, information from a plurality ofinformation sources, the information including vehicle relatedinformation, operations-related information, and external serviceprovider information; recording, by the information center, the receivedinformation; processing, by the information center, the receivedinformation such that the information is organized and prioritized; anddistributing, by the information center, the information totransportation vehicles, external service providers, and external accesspoints.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein processing includes combiningthe received information.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein processingincludes prioritizing the received information.
 12. The method of claim9, wherein processing includes organizing the information.
 13. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the vehicle related information includesvehicle location information.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein theexternal service provider information includes advertising information.15. A method of managing information for a transportation system,comprising: receiving, by an information center, information from aplurality of information sources, the information including vehiclerelated information, operations-related information, and externalservice provider information; recording, by the information center, thereceived information; processing, by the information center, thereceived information such that the information is selected, organized,and combined; and distributing, by the information center, theinformation to transportation vehicles, external service providers, andexternal access points.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein processingincludes combining the received information.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein processing includes prioritizing the received information. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein processing includes organizing theinformation.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle relatedinformation includes vehicle location information.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the external service provider information includesadvertising information.
 21. An information management system for atransportation system, comprising: means for receiving, by aninformation center, information from a plurality of information sources,the information including vehicle related information,operations-related information, and external service providerinformation; means for recording, by the information center, thereceived information; means for processing, by the information center,the received information such that the information is selected,organized, and combined; and means for distributing, by the informationcenter, the information to transportation vehicles, external serviceproviders, and external access points.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein the means for processing includes combining the receivedinformation.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the means forprocessing includes prioritizing the received information.
 24. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the means for processing includes organizingthe information.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the vehicle relatedinformation includes vehicle location information.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the external service provider information includesadvertising information.